Game Features

Carmageddon: Reincarnation returns with the classic 'destruction derby' formula encouraging players to engage in close quarters vehicular combat. Reincarnation features a mix of gameplay elements from Carmageddon and its sequel Carmageddon 2 : Carpocalypse Now with the prominent feature of 'Classic Carma' events that give the player three options for winning - Wreck all opponents, race and hit all the checkpoints, or the lengthy but rewarding task of chasing down and killing every pedestrian on the map.

New game modes, and game modes previously only available in multiplayer include:

'Checkpoint Stampede', an event in which players compete to chase down checkpoints that spawn on the map at random.

'Car Crusher', a classic deathmatch type mode in which the aim is to destroy as many opponents as possible within a time or score limit.

'Ped Chase', similar to Checkpoint stampede but with the checkpoints replaced by pedestrians

'Fox 'n Hounds, an event previously only available in multiplayer that features 'tag' like mechanics where the player tagged as the fox must evade the 'hounds', the other players tasked with stealing the fox. The player that remains the fox for the designated time limit is crowned the victor.

Vehicles

Stainless Games' focus of keeping Reincarnation closer to the original Carmageddon rather than its sequel Carmageddon 2: Carpocalypse Now is present in the vehicle design as many cars from the original game are reborn in high detail. While a lot of the vehicles have remained similar to the originals (with modern tweaks), some has been given some noticeable changes like The Towmeister.Other vehicles like the Eagle R have received a complete redesign. The Cops also make a return, with the original Squad Car joined by a small patrol vehicle aptly named the CU:NT as well as a four wheeled variant of the Suppressor APC named the Sub-pressor. Due to time constraints, the initial release of Carmageddon:Reincarnation only supports vehicles with four wheels and therefore the Suppressor was cut from the initial release. This limited tech also meant that vehicles that use tracks instead of wheels such as King Merc and Project-X did not release with the game however they, and the six-wheeled Suppressor have been confirmed to appear in a future update.

Vehicle Damage and Systems

New previously unseen vehicle mechanics are present such as tyre deflation, tyre derimming, and the complete loss of wheels. Vehicles are also much more detailed featuring dozens of detachable and destructible parts as well as different types of fully animated suspension and drivetrain systems. Though not present in the initial release, 'Car-splitting'(splitting or shearing the vehicle in half)seen first in Carmageddon 2: Carpocalypse Now has been brought up numerous times as a feature that may be added in a future update. Planned features also include tracked vehicle technology, articulated vehicles, and support for vehicles having more than four wheels.

Opponents

Reincarnation features the return of a number of the original characters, drawn primarily from Carmageddon, with the possibility of characters from The Splat Pack and Carmageddon IIappearing in future DLC packs. Returning racers include Max Damage, Die Anna, Val Hella and Brothers Grimm. There are also three brand new characters that have been designed by the Kickstarter backers who pledged $10,000 each.

In contrast to the low resolution character portraits seen in the original Carmageddon, Carmageddon:Reincarnation features full body concept art of the characters created by Doug Telford. Just as in the original Carmageddon, the characters loosely (or strongly) resemble real people and celebrities. Psycho Pitbull for instance strongly resembles Nobby, one of the founders and staff members of Stainless Games. Most characters now prominently feature a quirky trait, such as Skrewie Lewie having his legs amputated, Val Hella sporting a chihuahua named "Hellhoud", and Heinz Faust obtaining a pair of roller skates with tack tracks [2]. Issues of the Official Carmageddon Comic further expand on these quirky traits, sometimes explaining how the trait came to be.[3]

Environments

The new environments are amalgamations of the best bits from the numerous chunks of landscape that we all loved to tear around in Carmageddon. “Bleak City”, “Dusty Trails”, “Industrial” make a return, with their memorable landmark features such as the Loop ’de’ Loop, acid pits and Football Stadium. Several re-imagined and updated environments from the previous games are also present such as the "Sumo" and "Reactor Core" arena levels as well as the sprawling "Rig Wreck" level complete with a winter theme and a multitude of penguin pedestrians.

While the levels are primarily based on their Carmageddon 1 counterparts, the verticality of the levels has been vastly improved and the introduction of new interior, rooftop, alleyway, and underground areas further expands the size of the maps. The new Frosty Pass level for example is very reminiscent of the MagnaChem Abandoned Ice Station from Carmageddon: Splat Pack featuring a gigantic Oil Rig that appears to have crashed into the landmass as well as several human installations and even a semi-secret laboratory.

Development

The game is currently in the Alpha stages of development: Some clips have been shown demonstrating working physics, cars, environments and pedestrians. There is also a developer's blog on the official site to chronicle progress.

Stainless are looking to their loyal fanbase for feedback and suggestions, regularly asking their official forums for suggestions of what players/levels/power-ups should return for C:R. Kickstarter backers have their own private forum section.

While the Kickstarter campaign outlined a Spring 2013 release, later blog updates pushed the release date back to 2014. Stainless also revealed they had secured an increased budget, and along with expanding the game's content were now aiming to release Reincarnation on next-generation consoles too (such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One).[1]

While announcing the Beta, Stainless declared they were giving away 99 copies of The Carmageddon: Reincarnation Full Package, which would include the game itself along with all future updates and DLC. After a small public outcry[4], Stainless decided all Kickstarter pledgers would get the Full Package, so they would not have to pay for future content.

The Reincarnation website contained a development news ticker, displaying a few tasks that the team were working on at the time ("In Game: Mini map is now complete" for example). The list was updated/replaced at least once a week. Since the Pre-Alpha release and the start of regular Twitch streams, the ticker has been used to announce the Twitch stream dates and times.

The 'Early Access' Public Beta was released via Steam on 27th March 2014.[5] Kickstarter Backers who pledged $25 or more got even earlier access, which started 13th March.[6][7] The game was opened to pre-orders the same day.

Teaser countdown

The countdown

On 23rd May 2011, Carmageddon.com was revived. It displayed nothing but three skull & crossbones (Max Damages head tattoo) and a countdown timer in the style of the first game's menus. A Twitter account also appeared in the name of Max Damage.[8]

The countdown ended on June 1st 2011 at 9am GMT, to reveal the new website and Reincarnation's announcement.

Kickstarter campaign

On May 8th 2012, Stainless launched a campaign on Kickstarter to raise awareness and funds for the game's development. The video pitching the project to Kickstarter users showcases several important aspects regarding the current state of the game's development.

A number of rewards are being offered for pledging certain amounts, ranging from copies of the game, beta access and exclusive merchandise, all the way up to invites to an exclusive staff party (including flights if necessary) and appearing in-game as an opponent.

The large amount of press coverage (ranging from RockPaperShotgun to BBC News[9]), as well as the contribution and subsequent announcement of some popular fans, led to the 30 day campaign generating roughly 10% of the required $400,000 in just 3 hours. The goal was reached with 10 days to go. The campaign ended on June 7th at 4AM BST, the total raised being $625,143.

Gameplay

Nobby explained that the overall idea is to make a game very reminiscent of the first two Carmageddon games (the original especially), but with higher definition graphics. The videos released during the Kickstarter campaign back this up, judging from the driving physics, ragdoll physics, smoke particle effects and pedestrian animations currently in place.

Stainless aim to keep the open city environments, making them even bigger and more detailed than before. There will not be destructible terrain, but there will still be breakable physics objects such as lampposts and glass windows. Arrow signs will return.

Max Damage

During the Kickstarter campaign, a new picture of Max was posted on the official website's banner, to be the main image and cover art for the game. This new design of Max has a mostly natural skin colour (a return to his Carma design, and not the red hue of his design in Carma2 and beyond) and a cybernetic arm. 3 skulls are still tattooed on his head.

Max currently has 2 cars: The design shown in early footage, created by Tez Lane, will be unlockable as an alternate model for Kickstarter backers who pledged $50 or more. The Eagle R, the "official" Eagle, was revealed in the damage tech video released shortly before the Early Access Pre-Alpha.

Hang Onto Yer Helmet

Stainless promised that there would be be a competition to design a new character and their car for inclusion in the game. This appeared as a high-level reward in the Kickstarter campaign: Three exceedingly wealthy Kickstarter backers each pledged $10,000 or more to become in-game opponents, complete with vehicles and backstories!

Three carmageddon.com blog posts revealed their identities, chronicled their visits to the Stainless offices, and teased the vehicles they got to design: Ken from Cancun[11], Roman from Moscow[12], and Ryan from Tampa.[13]

And the rest

Kickstarter Update 16 sets out bonuses for hitting further pledge targets, one of which is having Nobby and Patrick appear as PratCam movies for Pitbull and Vlad. The final gameplay clip in the initial Kickstarter pitch video shows Tim Schafer being ran over by the Big Dump, suggesting its return (although the Towmeister was later announced). The initial concept sketches include Don Dumpster and Mother Trucker, while a montage of art in a Kickstarter video includes The Bear. The Squad Car and Suppressor were re-introduced, along with a new "mini-cop": Stella Stunna's Electric Blue was mentioned as near completion in the same post.[14]

Trivia

In the Kickstarter pitch video[15], Nobby revealed that Grim Fandango kept Carmageddon II "off the #1 chart spot by about 40 copies sold". This is quickly followed by Reincarnation footage of Tim Schafer (designer of G.F.) as a ped being run over by the Red Eagle.

Not only was Tim Schafer the designer of Grim Fandango, he also set up a tremendously successful Kickstarter campaign, showing gaming companies how it could work for them and inspiring Reincarnation to start their own.

The game engine, Beelzebub, is also another name for The Devil in the Christian faith. Surprisingly but coincidentally, this name is mentioned in The Carmageddon Comic, who Gunk claims to have the power of after drinking vampire blood from the Grail (although it didn't work).